[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 97 (Monday, June 5, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E520-E521]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING ASHOK PATEL AS A DISTINGUISHED LEADER IN CENTRAL FLORIDA FOR 
           ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DARREN SOTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 5, 2023

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, on May 26, 2023, I recognized Ashok Patel as a 
distinguished leader in Central Florida for Asian American and Pacific 
Islander Heritage Month. Ashok Patel was born in Nairobi, Kenya. His 
grandparents had moved to East Africa from India in the early 1900s. 
When he was just four years old, Ashok moved with his family to London. 
There, he directly experienced the challenges of being raised in an 
ethnic minority community and yet learned to integrate positively into 
the prevailing British lifestyle. He was deeply attracted to the faith 
of his forefathers, Hinduism, in particular BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. 
Thus, though a brilliant student, he followed his heart and dropped out 
of college to live a life of study and meditation in India.
  After several years, he was asked to begin reaching out to Hindus 
around the world to elaborate and teach the traditions of the world's 
oldest religious tradition. Ashok did this with a particular focus on 
the young and vulnerable. He became a highly respected writer, speaker, 
and life coach, traveling across the world. He actively coordinated 
acclaimed international events, such as the Cultural Festival of India 
held in New Jersey and the All-World Religions Conference sponsored by 
the United Nations in New York. He has received various awards and 
felicitations.
  Although settled in London, Ashok accepted the challenge of 
immigrating to the United States. He successfully entered the 
hospitality and tourism industry and later diversified into the retail 
grocery trade, actively working with other small businesses to help 
them succeed.
  Today, he owns and manages Prayosha Vacation Homes, an innovative 
property management company specializing in short-term vacation 
rentals. Ashok is a director of the Osceola Chamber of Commerce, vice 
chair of the Small Business Council, president of the Downtown 
Kissimmee Leads Group, and serves as a voluntary director at Osceola 
Community Health. As a successful Osceola businessman, Ashok continues 
to help small businesses succeed.
  Ashok is a highly respected leader in the Indian community of Central 
Florida and is involved in inter-community relations. He is an active 
volunteer leader of BAPS Charities international.

[[Page E521]]

  

                          ____________________